·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp

Kathy A. Ahearn has announced her resignation as Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs for the ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp State Board of Regents and the State Education Department. She will be leaving at the end of June to pursue a new opportunity with a law firm in the private sector.

In her March 6 letter of resignation to the Regents, Ahearn wrote, "It has been almost sixteen years since former Commissioner Sobol appointed me Counsel, and twenty years since I joined the State Education Department. On every day since then, I have been privileged and honored to serve the Commissioner, the Board of Regents, the Education Department and the people of the State of ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp, particularly the children."

Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett said, "Kathy has been an extraordinary Counsel to the Board, serving as a tremendous source of guidance.Ìý She is an outstanding attorney and we wish her continued great success."

Commissioner Richard P. Mills said, "My colleagues and I all remember examples of Kathy’s ability to explain the most complex of legal issues without advance notice. She is a gentle person who nevertheless does not lose in court. She has been the person trusted by both the Regents and me to serve as acting commissioner when I have been on leave. She has performed to the highest standards in that role and I never had to worry.Ìý We are grateful for her leadership, friendship, and long service to the Regents and the State Education Department."

Ms. Ahearn holds a B.A. in political science from the State University of ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp at Stony Brook, where she graduatedÌýmagna cum laudeÌýand wasÌýPhi Betta Kappa. She earned her J.D. from ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp University School of Law.

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